Thanks to an errant throw, Poland can now take aim at a state championship.
Kalie Benson's comebacker to the pitcher was thrown away with the bases loaded, allowing Adriana Sikora to score the game winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning, giving Poland a 5-4 victory over New Concord John Glenn in the Division II State Semifinals in Akron on Thursday.
The Bulldogs had loaded up the bases with the game tied at 4, beginning with Jenna Modic's leadoff double, to set up the winning run.
They will take on Hebron Lakewood on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for the Division II State Championship. Lakewood, the defending state champ in Division III last season, advanced with a 5-4 win over Greenville in the other semifinal contest.
Poland had trailed for one of the few times all season when the Little Muskies plated 4 runs in the top of the fifth inning. But the Dogs rallied in the home half of the inning to tie the game up at 4. Sikora's fielders choice brought home 2 of the runs with the help of a thorwing error. Nicole White also drove in a run with a sac fly to cap off the rally.
"Not only this year, but just this tournament, we've been averaging 8-9-10 hits a game," Modic said. "I just knew that no one wanted to lose, and everyone was going to do what it takes to get the win."
Modic was their spark at the plate, going 3-3 with her fourth solo home run of the season and 2 runs scored.
"Jenna Modic, right now it's like a beach ball coming in there with her," head coach Reid Lamport said. "The way she's hitting. She's hitting well over .900 for the tournament, and that's incredible."
Sikora, a junior, went 2-4 with 2 RBI.
New Concord John Glenn (27-4) committed five errors in the game.
Sophomore ace Erin Gabriel racked up 9 strikeouts to pick up her 21st victory of the season. She gave up one earned run on 4 hits with a pair of walks.
Poland (30-1) is seeking the first softball championship in school history.
